Comparative Characterization of Novel Schizachyrium Exiles Leaves and Raffia Africana Otendor for Materials Potential

Abstract

The potential for indigenous plant fibers to be used as composites in prospective materials and energy applications is growing all the time. SEM, FTIR, XRD, and XRF were used to investigate the potential of new Schizachyrium exiles leaf (SEL) and Raffia Africana otendor (RAOL) species. The microporous and macroscopic nature of the materials revealed by SEM analysis can be used as reinforcements in polymers, hybrids, and nano-composite fillers. The presence of the OH group and aliphatic C-O stretching in the FTIR sample revealed a polysaccharide structure. XRD investigations, on the other hand, demonstrate that the crystalline character of RAOL and SEL may be exploited for soft structural designs. Finally, XRF revealed that RAOL and SEL both contain solid minerals (Ca, Si, P, K, Ti, Fe, Mg, Al, and S) that can be extracted and used in a wide range of materials and energy applications, including mesoporous materials, semiconductors, solar and non-solar energy storage devices, rechargeable batteries, and engineering materials.